Doing a soft close for the first time

[schwim123]

I’m at my wits end with all of the leaves so I’m getting ready to do a soft close by putting our mesh cover over our pool to keep leaves out until it is professionally winterized on October 31. I’ve never done a soft close before and have a few questions:

If our water temperature is above 60 degrees, how many hours a day should we run the pump with the cover on to keep the pool clean until closing day on October 31st.

Since I normally close with Polyquat because of our mesh cover and mild winters, should I add polyquat now or should I get it to shock level now and wait to add the polyquat before it is winterized on October 31st?

How often would I need to check the chemicals if it is covered? Right now, water temperature is 70 degrees and it is only losing 2 ppms a day of chlorine but I assume chlorine consumption will slow down if it is covered. It’s hard to get the anchors on and off so I hope I could get by with only checking the chemicals once a week.

Since water evaporation is more common in the fall, how do I monitor the water level under the cover without removing a bunch of anchors each day by the skimmer? Could we experience more evaporation with the cover on or would we likely experience less evaporation if it is covered? If we don’t get much rain, I worry that the water level will get too low and the pump could lose prime.

 

[Newdude]

how many hours a day should we run the pump with the cover on to keep the pool clean until closing day on October 31st.

15 mins a day will keep the chems mixed. Twice a day is even better.

should I add polyquat now or should I get it to shock level now and wait to add the polyquat before it is winterized on October 31st?

Pass an OCLT to ensure you are walking away with no concerns. Then raise to half SLAM, and PQ and let it circulate for a day (pump on at that point) per the manufacturers instructions.

It’s hard to get the anchors on and off so I hope I could get by with only checking the chemicals once a week.

You should be able to grab a sample from the skimmers. I used my filter air release valve in a pinch at the beginning of the summer. It won't need doses often once covered this time of year.

Since water evaporation is more common in the fall, how do I monitor the water level under the cover without removing a bunch of anchors each day by the skimmer? Could we experience more evaporation with the cover on or would we likely experience less evaporation if it is covered? If we don’t get much rain, I worry that the water level will get too low and the pump could lose prime.

I lay on my side and lift the closed cover at the edge. It doesn't take much and you only need a glance at the water level to know it's OK for now.

 

[schwim123]

15 mins a day will keep the chems mixed. Twice a day is even better.

Pass an OCLT to ensure you are walking away with no concerns. Then raise to half SLAM, and PQ and let it circulate for a day (pump on at that point) per the manufacturers instructions.

You should be able to grab a sample from the skimmers. I used my filter air release valve in a pinch at the beginning of the summer. It won't need doses often once covered this time of year.

I lay on my side and lift the closed cover at the edge. It doesn't take much and you only need a glance at the water level to know it's OK for now.

Thanks for the advice. If I add the polyquat 60 now at half SLAM level in 70 degree water and it lowers FC lower than minimum FC level for my CYA in the next few weeks, how high do I bump the chlorine up to so I don’t get algae before closing on October 31st? Will adding chlorine days or weeks after adding the polyquat decrease the effectiveness or longevity of the polyquat? It’s hard to predict how long it will take before the water temperature drops below 60 since it will be covered and the weather is very unpredictable this time of year. I don’t want to close without polyquat since I’ve got a mesh cover and winters are so mild here.

 

[Newdude]

Will adding chlorine days or weeks after adding the polyquat decrease the effectiveness or longevity of the polyquat?

Yes. They consume each other leaving less of either. So maintain with LC regularly and go to half SLAM and add PQ the day before closing (or as reasonably close as possible)

 

[schwim123]

Yes. They consume each other leaving less of either. So maintain with LC regularly and go to half SLAM and add PQ the day before closing (or as reasonably close as possible)

I’m confused. Are you saying that I should maintain the pool with liquid chlorine while it is covered during the next 3 weeks and wait until the day before my PB closes and winterizes the pool on October 31st before adding the polyquat? If so, how do I add the polyquat to the pool while it is covered? Can I just dilute it in a bucket of warm water, peel back the cover near each return and pour it in? Or could I pour it in around the perimeter of the pool without removing the cover at all since it is mesh? I will knock leaves into the pool if I have to remove the mesh cover completely to add the polyquat around the pool so I don’t want to do this unless I have to.

 

[Newdude]

Are you saying that I should maintain the pool with liquid chlorine while it is covered during the next 3 weeks and wait until the day before my PB closes and winterizes the pool on October 31st before adding the polyquat?

Yes. Once covered it likely won't need much. Peel back an area by a return if you need to add LC. You can take samples from the skimmer or the air relief on the filter. It doesn't need to be perfect for the short term, just that you are free and clear above minimum.

I diluted my PQ about 1/4 bottle per 5 gallon bucket and it really helped disperse it. I wouldn't pour it directly on the cover.